Helen Zille is cleared to run for the position of the DA chairperson of the federal council. In 2017, the former party leader reached an agreement with DA leader Mmusi Maimane after a series of controversial tweets about colonialism. According to this deal, Zille agreed to vacate her position on all decision-making structures of the party, including the federal executive, federal council and provincial council of the DA.
She remained premier of the Western Cape and her public communication was limited to her role as premier. Zille shocked a few last week when she announced that she would be contesting the position, which would be vacated by long-serving James Selfe. She led the party between 2007 and 2015. During this period, the party experienced electoral growth, with Zille as premier until her second term came to an end before this year’s election.